Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent has been temporarily downgraded by aviation authorities following persistent runway surface issues that have caused significant flight disruptions. The problems, involving recurring holes appearing on the runway surface, culminated this weekend with multiple incidents that forced flight cancellations and operational changes.
On Saturday evening, an American Airlines Boeing 737-823 bound for Miami aborted takeoff procedures and returned to the ramp after crew identified a newly formed hole in the runway. Airport personnel responded with emergency vehicles to address the surface hazard, collecting debris into plastic buckets. The incident resulted in the cancellation of flight AA3098 as crew duty time limitations were exceeded, while a Caribbean Airlines flight to New York experienced substantial delays.
The situation escalated on Sunday when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Airmen/Air Missions (NOTAM) temporarily restricting the airport to aircraft with maximum take-off weights below 225,000 pounds. This regulatory action forced the cancellation of Virgin Atlantic’s scheduled service between London and St. Vincent via Barbados.
The runway issues have been ongoing since at least February, with airport management implementing repeated temporary patches while reportedly hesitant to pursue more comprehensive repairs that would require complete airport closure. According to sources familiar with the situation, authorities have attempted to avoid shutdowns for over a year, but the recent developments may necessitate more drastic action.
Of particular concern to aviation experts is a reportedly defective area near the runway’s touchdown zone, which presents additional safety considerations. The newly installed New Democratic Party administration has not yet commented on the situation, while former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves had previously stated that airport management had ‘everything in hand’ regarding both temporary fixes and planned permanent solutions.